SPL And SFL Agree Merger

08 January 2013 09:43

The Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League have agreed on a set of principles to restructure the game that includes a merger of both bodies.

The merger - which could be implemented as soon as next season - would see a new league structure of 12-12-18.

All clubs involved, including Aberdeen, will vote on the proposals by the end of this month.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan, accompanied by SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster and SFL counterpart David Longmuir, confirmed the proposals being examined would see the two top divisions split into three groups of eight after 22 games.

But fans will be suspicious of the motives of two of those men - Regan and Doncaster - who were prepared to move heaven and earth to keep Newco in the top division last summer, and promised "armageddon" without half of the Old Firm at the upper end of the league system.

Regan said today: "We have had a very productive meeting of the Scottish FA's professional game board at which we had board representatives from around a third of the 42 senior clubs in Scotland.

"I'm delighted to say that we have agreed a set of principles to restructure Scottish football.

"That will include a single league body, subject to club consultation.

"There is a recognition that Scottish football is crying out for a new dawn and we have now got agreement to take to clubs. That is a huge step for the game in Scotland and it should not be under-estimated. We will deliver the change when we think it is the right time."

And it must be said, a lot of that is rank hypocrisy from a man who would be an insult to reptiles.

For an alternative view of the merger, including several key questions answered, see this blog post from Rev Stuart Campbell.